Fall, 2006

Greetings to all, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Gratitude for the blessings of life comes easily to us. Gratitude for the challenges is somewhat more difficult to achieve. Yet it is the challenges of life that stretch us to grow and become more than we have already been.

As we near the conclusion of 2006, we look forward with excitement and anticipation to the celebration in 2007 of 150 years of ministry in this diocese of Huron, 165 years in the Church of St. John the Evangelist, and in 2008, 175 years by the congregation of St. Ann’s in Adelaide. What a thrill it is to be a part of the church in this time!

However, as we plan our celebrations, we also know that there are many things in our own lives, in the life of our church, and community, indeed in the life of the whole world, that is less than it ought to be. We know that there is much that needs to be done, and we know that our resources are small in comparison to the need around us.

So we give thanks – for the challenges!

We give thanks that ministry still awaits our involvement and dedication, that God still looks to us to carry out the mission of the church in the world that God loves. We give thanks that the little we have, when added to that offered by others, will be sufficient for the need, that God will multiply that which we give in gratitude to be “more than we can ask or imagine.”

Each day gives us reason to glorify God, whether it is for the delight we have experienced in our good times, or the inexplicable strength given to us in times of difficulty. We invite you to express your gratitude in any way you can, but above all, in your participation in the praise and worship of the God who loves us. May we look forward to seeing you in church during the days and weeks ahead?

May God continue to bless you and make you a blessing!